On Wednesday, US President Barack Obama extended the right to be paid overtime hours by 4.2 million Americans, so that all time spent at work, reflected in salaries

In the new decree of President Barack Obama stated that the maximum salary of the employee who works overtime, more than 40 hours a week doubled - namely from 23,660 to almost 47,500 dollars.

The decree will affect primarily workers fast food restaurants and shops in which managers often pay barely exceeds the salaries of ordinary employees, reports Voice of America .

"If you work more than 40 hours a week, you have to pay for it or give you an additional output, which you can spend with family and friends - said Obama. - This is one of the most important measures taken by us to improve the wages of the middle class. "

According to the White House for the next 10 years of employees will be paid an annual $1.2 billion.

Actual numbers will match these estimates, is unclear.

National Retail Federation - lobbying organization that represents the interests stores - said that as a result of the decree of Obama, employers may reduce the time to 40 hours a week to avoid paying overtime which a half times increase pay the first 40 hours . If this happens, people will spend less time at work, but will not earn more.

White House officials said that the former regulations only 7 percent of employees in the US were entitled to overtime pay. After December 1 decree Obama will enter into force, the figure will be 35 percent.